three words -- energy is good. would we not agree? energy is good. [applause] energy provides the basis for advanced civilization, improved standards of living, allows us to live comfortably, allows us to watch our super bowl game, allows us to transport ourselves around a neighborhood and around the world, allows us to produce food in the quantities necessary to feed the world's population, it allows us to manufacture, communicate. it enables every aspect of modern life. and too often we forget this. too often we forget the basic notion that energy is good. despite what many may argue, affordable energy is not the problem. it is exactly what we should be striving for. we have incredible potential in this country to produce energy, create good jobs. and these good jobs are not only within the energy production. although, people in my state of alaska, in louisiana, north dakota, pennsylvania, texas, they will all attest to the importance of these energy jobs. these jobs extend beyond energy production, flowing directly from the economic growth made po